Center for Student-Based Budgeting Newsletter, February 2017
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Student-Based Budgeting Newsletter

Center for Student-Based Budgeting Newsletter, February 2017

"How have we managed to make efficient choices and simultaneously invest in our classrooms?"

Notable Quotable:

“How have we managed to make efficient choices and simultaneously invest in our classrooms? Since the 2011-12 school year, in collaboration with the board and school principals, IPS has reduced per pupil spending on administrative functions by 31%, directing more resources to the classroom.” –Indianapolis Public Schools Board of Commissioners

Student Based Budgeting in the News:

Fixing Texas’ School Finance System
The Lone Star State’s funding mechanism lacks equity, is non-transparent and fails to empower parents with meaningful choices. Reason Foundation’s latest policy brief shows how a comprehensive student-based budgeting system and other reforms could fix this.

Indianapolis Public Schools Benefiting from Student-Based Budgeting
Increased flexibility has given IPS leaders the ability to strategically allocate resources in order to boost student achievement and reduce administrative costs.

Education Innovations Producing Results
School choice programs throughout the U.S. are offering parents the ability to choose the type of educational setting that is best for their kids.

Shelby County Public Schools Exploring Weighted Funding
The district will begin a pilot next year that could expand districtwide after two years.

Mandatory Union Dues Could End
Eight California teachers filed a lawsuit against the California Teachers Association in an effort to end the practice of forced “agency fees.”

Lawmakers Proposing Overhauls to School Funding in Kansas
The block grant system established by lawmakers in 2015 expires on June 30th and five plans have already been introduced in the state’s House.

Student Based Budgeting 101:

Fund the Child: Tackling Inequity and Antiquity in School Finance
Thomas B. Fordham Institute’s landmark report from 2006 made the case for using weighted-student funding for achieving equity and allowing diverse options to flourish.

Best Practices Spotlight:

Video Series: Metro Nashville Public Schools
The district breaks down how it implements student-based budgeting in a series of short, parent-friendly videos.

Follow School Finance Groups and Experts on Twitter:

  • Center for American Progress @EdProgress
  • Education Research Strategies @ERStrategies
  • Center for Reinventing Public Education @CRPE_UW
  • Afton Partners @aftonpartners
  • Edunomics Lab @EdunomicsLab
  • Public Impact @publicimpact
  • EdBuild @EdBuild
  • Reason Foundation @LisSnell
  • Reason Foundation @AaronGarthSmith
  • Reason Foundation @TKoteskey76
  • Allovue @AllovueBalance
  • Allovue @jessgartner